Apparatus for sealing glass and metal members



Jan. 17, 1950 A.GRE1NER 2,494,870

APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AND METAL MEMBERS Filed Feb. 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l Egg. //9 Fi 1 c l ,3 /Z

OV ZZ O 2f' 54 M f @D x 7/ /09 70 (/5 k Jan. 17, 1950 A. GREINER 2,494,870

APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AND METAL MEMBERS Filed Feb. 17, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @2 /aa M6 56 i if f' 95 95 b5 JvLNM aufm His ATTQVUSH.

Patented Jan. 1 7, 1975.()

APPARATUS FOR SEALING GLASS AND METAL MEMBERS Alfred Greiner, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assigner to General Electric Company, a Acorporation of New York Application February 17, 1944, Serial No. 522,820

(Cl. MM2) 17 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for sealing together glass and metal elements of electronic tubes, lamps and the like and more particularly to apparatus tor sealing together an assembly of glass and metal elements of such `electrical devices.

The formation of seals between glass and metal parts requires a high degree of skill and care inasmuch as the operation of heating said parts to the sealing temperature in the usual manner of operation is very difficult tocontrol with the exactness required. Usually the vsealing operation is also hampered by the form of the glass and metal parts which must therefore be carefully prepared to assure a thorough wetting of the glass part .to the metal part and the formation of` a strong and .entirely .satisfactory seal. The difficulty of controlling the heating means is increased by the desirability of restricting the distribution of heat to the glass and metal parts and preventing the over-heating of said parts inasmuch as either condition results in a .distortion of one or the other part. Such distortion is particularly undesirable `where the relationship of the metal parte is important to their proper function in. the electrical device, a situation most generally found where .several :or .said .glass and metal parte are to be formed through la multiplicity of closely arranged seals. complexity of the operation greatly increases with the number and the nearness of .the seals to each other because of the transfer .of heat between the vvarious parts.

One yobject of my invention is to provide apparatus :tor readily sealing glass and metal elements together wherein a minimum of skill is required and sea-ls so produced are consistently strong and accurate.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for sealing metal elements to the opposite ends of a relatively short glass element, the metal elements being very accurately positioned with respect to each other and the glassnelements being lfused to a strong seal therewith and otherwise undistorted.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for sealing a plurality of glass and metal elements together into a strong and accurate assembly with a minimum of skill and care.

Another object of my invention is vto provide apparatus for sealing a plurality of glass and metal elements into va single assembly in a rapid and vconvenient manner.

Still other objects and advantages of rmy invention will appear from the following description and from the drawing.

I- nthe drawing Fig. l is a front elevation of apparatus for sealing together a series of three metal elements and two glass elements of an electronic device, the forward supporting column and attached means of said apparatus` being cut away to show other yportions thereof; Fig. 2 is a plan View of the sealing apparatus; Fig. 3 vis a fragmentary side elevation, on a large scale, of the glass and metal element holding portions of said apparatus in the final step in sealing said elements together; Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the essentia-l operating members oi the upper, intermediate and lower portions oi the sealing apparatus; Fig. 5 is a vertical section oi the upper glass element holder; and Fig. 6 is a side elevation partially bro-ken away o-i the lower glass element holder.

The course of operations of the apparatus shown `provides fir-st for the sealing of lan end of the glass elements vIii and I-I l(Fig. 3) which are inthe lform of short lengths of tubing, yto opposite sides of a metal disc shaped element I2; and immediately thereafter, while said elements Hl, -II and i2 are still at somewhat elevated temperatures, sealing vof the opposite ends o-f the .glass elements lll and vIi to the metal elements yI3 and i4. These elements fiorm, when sealed together, one sub-assembly of an electron-ic device and in the .course of the seal-ing operation must be caused to take a very defi-nite relation to eachother to function properly in said device.

'The ldisc shaped element l2 is usuali-ythe first clement inserted in the apparatus and is manually placed in .a recess at the top 01' the hollow conical support t5. At ,such times the hold-down fingers I ,6 .and Il ,are swung back :from the position in which .they Ashown :and .easy access to .the top or .the support i5 .can be gained through the open top .of the high frequency induction .coil i8. The annular .disc shaped yelement l2, which is indented about the..opening at its .center and has a screen i9 'welded `oyer the opening, is placed in the support iii with the raised portion of the in denture the screen 1:9 uppermost.

The glass .elements :lli and il are inserted in lower and `upper holders 2Q .and 2.I in corresponding ,branches .or a U shaped arm 22 which is located to .one side of the .support t5 and induction coil 18.. The buttons 2:3 and 23' at the .ends of the holders 2.0 and '2| respectively are pulled outward manually to .draw together .the outer ends of the three gripping fingers Z4 on holder 20 and the .three iingers '214" on holder 2i so that the yglass elements in and il .can :be passed ,over the said outer ends of .said lingers `24 `and -24' and caused to .seat against thehcads 2:5 and 2.5' of the holders.

When the glass elements i and II are in place, the buttons 23 and 23 are released so as to cause the fingers 24 and 24 to move out against the inside surface of the elements I3 and I| to hold said elements in place. As shown in combination with the upper holder 2| (Fig. 5) the ngers 24' are pivoted on pins 26 in the head 25 and are under the constant influence of the expansion force of helical springs 21 in wells of said head which tend to hold them with their outer ends in the retracted position. The gripping motion of the outer ends of fingers 24' is caused by the pressure of a conical sleeve 28 against the angular inner ends of said fingers 24 which pressure is created by the expansion of a spring 29 surrounding the upper end of a rod 30' to which said sleeve `28 is connected by pin 3| The spring 29 is coniined within a well in the spindle 32 which supports the head 25 of the holder 2| and is compressed between a collar 36 on the rod 30 and a guide 33 held by the spindle 32. Longitudinal slots 34 in the connecting portion of the spindle 32 adjoining the head 25' permit free movement of the pin 3|. The lower holder 20 is similarly constructed, corresponding parts being indicated by unprimed numbers. The upper holder 2| is additionally provided with pins 35 extending from the head 25' thereof adjacent each finger 24' for assisting in guiding the larger glass element over said fingers 24.

The metal elements I3 and I4 are placed on the opposed ends of the spindles 36 and 31 which lie some distance respectively below and above the support l5 and induction coil I8. The insertion of the metal element I3 in the apparatus consists merely in resting the flange or disc portion 28 thereof on the projecting points or fingers shown at the upper end of the head portion 38 of the spindle 36 with the outer post portion 39 of said element I3 lowerrnost and the inner anode post portion 4B uppermost.

The metal element |4 consists of a cylindrical shell having one end almost closed oi :by an inwardly directed flange 4|. While in an inverted position, it is manually pushed up over the ends of the spring fingers 42 and other parts of the spindle 31 to the position shown in Fig. 3. At the time of insertion, the spring ngers 42, which extend from the block 43 attached to the rod 44, are caused to take positions farther out from the lowei` end of the spindle 31 by manual pressure on the knob (Fig. 4) on the end of said rod 44 which extends from the upper end of the spindle 31, so that the central opening in the flange 4| can be easily aligned with said ngers 42 and said flange 4| can -be carried completely up over the humps 4B on the lower ends thereof. The subsequent release of the pressure on the knob 45 permits the expansion force of the spring 41, located around said rod 44 between said knob 45 and the plate 48, to lift said rod 44 and fingers 42 so that the flange 4| is carried up against the positioning shoulder 49 on the spindle 31. The spring fingers 42 lie within longitudinal grooves in the plug 50 in the sleeve 5| which grooves permit the spring fingers 42 to bend inward as the flange 4| passes over the humps 46 thereof.

After the proper disposition of the glass and metal elements I0, and I2, I3, I4, respectively, within the apparatus, the disc shaped metal element I2 is heated to sealing temperature by the passage of high frequency electrical currents through the induction coil I8. The metal element I2 is the only part heated by the high frequency currents since the conical support I5 and f from the stop -screw 61.

4 its supporting plate or base portion 52, which is attached to the clamps 53 and 54 on the two supporting standards 55 and 5G of the apparatus, are made of a refractory such as magnesia.

The connection of the induction coil I8 to the source of current is made, in this particular instance, through a manually operated switch (not shown) and other means (not shown), which means also provides for the circulation of a cooling liquid, preferably water, through the hollow interior of the tubing forming the induction coil I8. The induction coil I8 is supported entirely `by its ends which are held between the block 51 and the clamping block 58 on the standard 56 (Figs. l and Al) The block 51 and clamping block 58 are made of an insulating material to avoid short-circuiting the induction coil I8.

The glass elements I3 and Il are brought into sealing relation to the metal element I2 by swinging the arm 22 counterclockwise (or to the right in Fig. 1) so as to position the holders 20 and 2| carrying said glass elements IU and directly below and above said metal element I2, and then moving the holders 20 and 2| vertically within said arm 22 to bring the glass elements ||l and i I in contact with bottom and top surfaces of the metal element I2. The arm 22 is fastened to two plates 59 and 59 which are pivotally attached to two clamping blocks {il} and Eli on standard 56 by the bolts 6| and 6| and is swung to the correct position when a laterally offset portion 22 (Fig. 2) at the back thereof engages the stop screw 32 extending from a lug on clamping block 6G. Springs 63 and 63 about the bolts 6| and 6| create friction between the plates 59, 59 and clamping blocks 6|, 6|' and prevent the arm 22 from moving out of position after it is released.

The vertical adjustment of the glass elements ill and I I is likewise produced by manual manipulation of the apparatus but is not produced until the cam 64 (Fig. l), which is pivoted on the stud 65 extending from the arm 22, is swung up out of the path of movement of the lever 66 of the holder actuating means and away At such times, the normal effect of the weight 68 on the operating lever |59I of the actuating means is opposed manually to allow the holders 20 and 2| to bring the glass elements Ill and II into position without shock. Other parts of the actuating means comprise the clamps 10 and 'I0' which are attached to the spindles 32 and 32 of the holders 20 and 2| respectively, the connecting links 1I and 1|', the levers 6B and 6B which are pivoted on studs 12 and 12 extending from arm 22, and the links 13 and 13 which are attached to the operating lever 69. The leverage of the actuating means is preferably so proportioned that the effect of the weight 68, spindles 32 and 32', etc., presses equal areas of the glass elements I0 and II against the metal element I2 with corresponding force so that the seal made by each glass element I0 or has a corresponding character. A slight upsetting of the edges of the glass elements I 0 and |I results as they become heated by the metal element I2, but this action does not result in objectionable distortion thereof and assures a thorough wetting of said glass elements I0 and to metal element I2 although there are slight nicks or other surface irregularities in the surfaces thereof. At the limit of movement of the holders 2B and 2| the weight 68 turns the operating lever 69 about its pivot screw 14 to such an extent that it rests on the stop screw 15 held by a lug extending from the arm 22.

The high frequency electrical current passing through the induction coil I8 is now switched loff to allow the seals .to cool, whereupon the holddown fingers I6 and |1 are swung into engagement with the edge of metal element I2, and the holders 2|] and 2| are released from the glass elements I6 and II and swung to one side. The hold-down fingers t6 and I1 prevent the metal element l2 and the glass elements I0 and I I, now sealed thereto, from being disturbed by the reinoval of the holders 2li and 2| and are preferably not brought into contact with said element I2 until it and the seals have cooled to such an extent that the cooling effect of said fingers I6 and |1 is not detrimental thereto. The holddown fingers I6 and I1 are attached to the shafts 16 and 11 extending from the brackets 18 and 19 on opposite sides of the conical support I5 and are swung into place by manipulation of the handle 80 extending from the arm 8| on shaft 11. A link 82 transfers the motion of handle 83 to the arm 83 extending from shaft 16. In the course of the above operation the spring 84, which ex.- tends between a post in bracket 13 and the handle 80, passes to the opposite side of the shaft 11 so that the contraction force of said spring 84 which has held fingers I6 and I1 in the open position is now applied to keeping them against the metal element l2. The release and repositioning of the holders 20 and 2| can both be provided by pulling the buttons 23 and 23' as this force is sulcient to withdraw the fingers 24 and 24 of respective holders and return the weight and actuating means to their original position. The cam '64 should then be turned down into position above the lever 66 to hold the actuating means and the holders 28 and 2| in this position.

Succeeding operations have to do with the heating and the bringing of the metal elements I3 and I4 into sealing relation to the ends of the glass elements I6 and il and are begun by manually opening valves (not shown) releasing the combustible gas vmixture to the burners 85 and 86 (Figs. 3 and 4) which are in direct association therewith, As shown in combination with the lowermost metal element I3 resting, by its flange 28, on the head 38 of the spindle 36 (Figs. l and 3), the burner 85 provides a multiplicity of passages between said head 38 and the sleeve or core 81 in the hollow center thereof and directs a very intense flame against the outer portion of the flange 2S. The gas mixture is conducted to burner 85 by the flexible hose 88 (Fig. l), nipple 89 an opening in the head 38 of the spindle 36 and a passage 81 about the lower end of the core 81. The burner 86, which is associated with the upper spindle 31, is formed by the extended lip 90 thereof and the sleeve 5I which are arranged sor as to direct flames onto the inwardly directed flange 4| on the metal element Ic. A flexible hose 9|, nipple 92, a passage through the spindle 31 and a second passage 93 around the sleeve 5| provide the means of conducting the combustible gas mixture to the burner 86.

The flange 28 of metal element I3 is brought up into sealing relation to the glass element I8 prior `to the corresponding adjustment of the metal element I4 by the vertical movement of the spindle 35 which extends down through the bed 95 of the apparatus and the table or bench (not shown) holding the entire apparatus. The spindle Y3,6 provides a rack 96 along its side which is in enga-gement with a gear (not shown) on the sha-ft 91 carrying the crank 98, and is manipulated by the manual rotation of said crank 88 first to carry the metal element I3 into contact with the glass element I0 and then, as said element I8 becomes plastic, up to the limit of movement. During this latter interval, the glass element ill is upset slightly so that all parts of the edge are brought into positive contact with the flange 28 on metal element I3 regardless of any slight imperfections and inaccuracies therein and so that said edge will wet and seal securely thereto. The limit of movement can, if desired, be controlled by a collar 99 clamped to the lower endv of the spindle 36 in such a position as to eng-age the lower surface of the bed 95 and prevent further motion of said spindle 36.

The final position taken by the metal element i3 is dependent on the position taken by the end of its, anode post portion V4I) with respect to the screen I9 and is not taken until the glass element ifi and the flange portion 28 of metal element I3 are completely fused together whereupon the metal element I3 is lowered a specified .distance the corresponding movement of the head 38 of the spindle 3E. Before the lowering movement is performed, the spindle 36 is locked at its upper limit of motion by rotating the screew IL10 (Fig. l) so that said screw |88 is threaded through the bed and bears against the spindle 36; the flow of gas to the burner 25 is turned off; and the metal element I3 is caused to be retained by the head 33 by allowing a source of vacuum connected to the hollow interior of the head 38 to draw thereon. The vacuum is connected to the head 38 through a exible hose (not shown), the bore of the hollow spindle 36, the bore of the head 38, and the interior of the core 81 in the upper end of which is fitted the post portion 39 of the element i3. The function of the vacuum is vto exert sufficient suction on the post portion 39 of the element I3, which almost completely seals the open end of the core 81 (Fig. 3), to hold the flange 28 of the metal element I3 tightly against the head 86 of the spindle 36 during the succeeding lowering movements thereof.

in the o-rder of operation is the manual adjustment of the handle |62 (Figs. l and 4) which effects a limited lowering movement of the head 38 with respect to the spindle whereby the anode 46 is repositioned with respect to the screen I9 and the sealed portion of the glass element I0 is stretched.l rShe head 38 which slides freely in the bore of the spindle 36 is of sufficient weight so 'that it always remains at a position established by the engagement of a flange |83 thereon with the cam |84 which is attached to a v pin |85 held by a portion of the spindle 36. The

said head 38 moves down by its own weight asv the cam |84 is rotated by adjustment of handle |82 which extends from the block |61 on the opposite end of pin |85 and brings a portion of less thickness radially below said flange |53. An ear |86 on the block i511 securing the handle |02 to the pin 65 prevents the cam Ifidg from being turned in the opposite direction whereas a stop screw |68 extending upward from the end of the spindle 36 limits the motion of the flange |83 and, accordingly, of the metal element I 3, 'although the cam Itl is turned sufficiently to allow still further movement. The seal is stretched slightly, .03 inch for instance, by the downward movement of the metal element I3, which stretching improves the strength of the seal and is not sufficient to produce a break therein.

The metal element I4, located on the end of the upper yspindle 3l', is brought down into `sealing relation immediately following the final positioning of the metal element I3 While the metal and glass assembly, now almost completely formed, is still heated considerably. The manual opera tions necessary to lower the spindle 31 are first to turn the locking screw |99 (Fig. l) extending from the side of the bearing block III) 0n the plate (see Fig. 4) extending between the upper ends of the standards 55 and 56 so as to permit the spindle 31 to slide in the bearing block I IU, and then to rotate the crank I I2 to cause the gear II3 which engages the teeth of a rack I|4 along one side of the spindle 31 to advance said spindle 31. The crank |42 and the gear |13 are mounted on opposite ends of a shaft II5 carried by the bearing block I I9 and adjust the spindle 31 and the counterweight IIS (Fig. 2) which is attached thereto through the cable ||1 passing up over the sheaves I I8 and I9 and the metal strap |20 attached to the plate 43 on the upper end of the spindle 31. A cross arm |2| on the upper end of a post |22 screwed over the end of standard 56 extending through the plate III provides the means of supporting the sheaves IIB and II9 above the highest position taken by the upper end of the spindle 31.

The rate of movement of said spindle 31 is directly in proportion to the size of the gear II3, until the flange 4I of the metal element I4 is almost in contact with the edge of the glass element II, whereupon said gear |I3 passes from the last tooth of the rack II4 and that part of the weight of 'the spindle 31, which is not balanced out by counterweight IIG causes said spindle 31 to move down still farther. This latter movement is controlled, as the roller |23 I held by the plate 48 comes to rest on the edge of the cam |24 supported by the shaft II5 and can progress to the extent allowed by said cam |24. The crank i|2 is, however, almost immediately turned so that a smaller part of the cam |24 is below the roller |23 and the entire effective weight of said spindle 31 is permitted to force the flange 4I against the glass element II. rlhe high heat of the metal flange 4| quickly fuses the edge of the glass element II to a point where it becomes sealed thereto and is upset by the pressure of engagement until the stop screw |25 on plate lili comes to rest on the bearing block I I0.

The final operation in regard to the manufacture of the glass and metal assembly is now complete and the operator has only to turn off the res in the burner 86 in the end of the spindle (il and return all parts of the apparatus to its former position to complete one cycle of opera tion thereof. The glass and metal assembly is preferably removed from the conical support I5 to an annealing oven containing a hydrogen atn mosphere so as to assure definite control over the rate of cooling thereof and produce the maximum strength in said assembly. The hydrogen removes all the black copper oxide formed on the metal surfaces during 'the sealing operations.

The proper functioning of all parts of the assembly disclosed is dependent on the proper positioning of the anode post portion 4U of the metal member I3 and the flange portion 4I of metal member il! with respect to the screen I9 on the central metal member i2 of said assembly. To control the positioning of these elements I3 and I4 requires care in properly xing the limits of movement of the lower and upper spindles 36 and 3'! and may, in certain instances where the metal elements I2, I3 and I4 are not made with the desired accuracy, require other means for establishing these limits of movement during each cycle of operation. Under either condition it is preferred that the positions taken by the spindles 35 and 31 be determined by actual contact with the bottom and top surfaces of the screen I9 and that said contacts establish electrical connections between the end of the anode post 4i) and the screen I9, and the contact |26 (Figs. l and `3) and said screens I9 respectively. The contact |26 is secured to the end or" spindle 31. The metal element I2 is connected to one side of a source of electricity through one of the holddown fingers I1 (Fig. 3) and conductor |21 whereas the anode post 49 and contact |26 are connected to the opposite side of the source of electricity through spindle 36, conductor 128, indicator lamp |29, conductor |30, and the parts of the spindle 31, conductor I3I, indicator lamp |32, conductor |33, respectively. The respective indicator lamps |29 and |32 are lighted when either the anode post Il or contact |26 (which bears a denite relation to the metal element I4) touches the screen I9, the usual method of operation being to set the stop collar 99 when the spindle 36 is raised to such an extent that the lamp 29 is lighted and to set the stop screw |25 when the spindle 31 is lowered to the full limit of its movement which is indicated by the lighting of lamp |32. If each cycle of operation of 'the apparatus is to be controlled by the operations of the indicator lamps |29 and |32, the stop collar 99 is dispensed with. In either case 'the spindle 35 is locked at its upper limit of movement by rotation of screw IIN! and the head 3B lowered separately the desired distance to the final position controlled by stop screw |58 by manual adjustment of cam |04. Since no readjustment or" the metal element I4 and upper spindle 31 is usually desired, the stop screw |25 can be dispensed with and the final position controlled entirely by the pre-set relation of the contact IE5 to the metal element I4 and the lighting of the lamp |32.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. Apparatus for sealing tubular glass elements to metal elements to form an assembly for an electrical device of the class described comprising a refractory support for the metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to a source of high frequency current to cause the metal element to be heated, holder means for the` tubular glass element, means mounting said holder means for movement into a definite relation to the refractory support to align the said glass and metal elements and for movement toward said refractory support to press an end of the tubular glass element against the metal element to cause said end to be fused and sealed thereto, holding means [or a second metal ele ment, means mounting said holding means for movement into a denite relation to the refrac-v tory support for pressing a second metal element against the opposite end of the tubular glass element, and means disposed adjacent the refractory support for heating the second metal ele' ment to cause the engaging end oi the tubular glass element to be fused and sealed thereto.

2. Apparatus for sealing tubular glass elements to metal elements to form an assembly for an electrical device of the class described comprising a refractory support for the metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to aA source of high frequency current to cause the metalelement to ce heated, movablemeans adjacent said refractory support carrying a holder for .the tubular glass :element and yconstructed and farrangedito .swing said holder into and out of alignment with the metal element in said refractory support andalso mounting said holder for movement toward said refractory support to carry an end of the tubular glass element against the-metal element to cause said end to be fused, upset and sealed thereto, fholding means for a second metal element aligned with the refractory support, means mounting said holding meansfor movement toward said support for advancing a second metal element into engagement with the opposite end of the tubular glass element, and means disposed adjacent vthe refractory support for heating the second metal element to cause the engaging end of the tubular glass element to be fused Iand sealed thereto.

Apparatus for sealing tubular glass elem-ents to opposite sides of a metal element to form an assembly for an electric device of the class described comprising a refractory support for the metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to a source .of high frequency current to cause the metal element to be heated,means for holding tubular glass elements on opposite sides of the refractory support, and means mounting said .holding means for movement toward said support for pressing the ends of tubular glass elements against opposite sides of the metal element to cause said ends to be fused, upset and sealed thereto.

4. Apparatus for sealing tubular glass elements to opposite sides of a metal element to form an assembly for an electric device of the class described comprising a refractory support for the metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to a source of high frequency current to cause `the metal element to be heated, means movable into operative relation to the refractory support for holding the metal element in place thereon, means for holding tubular glass elements on opposite sides of the refractory support and means mounting the last-mentioned holding means for movement toward said support for pressing the ends of tubular glass elements against opposite sides of the metal element to cause said endsI to be fused, upset and sealed thereto.

5. Apparatus for sealing tubular glass elements to opposite sides of a metal element to form an assembly for an electric device of the class described comprising a refractory support for the metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to a source of high frequency current to cause the metal element to be heated, movable holders for holdingthe glass elements on opposite sides of the reiractory support having means `to grip and position said tubular glass eiements, and means mounting the holders :for movement 'toe ward the refractory support'for pressing the ends of the tubular glass elements against opposite sides of the metal element to cause said ends to be "fused, upset and sealed thereto.

6. Apparatus for sealing tubular glass elements to opposite sides of a metal element te form an assembly for an electric device of the class described comprising a refractory support for the metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion ofthe refractory support adapted to be connected to a source of high frequency current to :cause the metal element to be heated, ymovable holdersfor holding the glass elements on opposite sides of the refractory support having means to grip and position said tubular glass elements, means mounting said holder for movement Vin corresponding manner toward the refractory support to carry the ends of the tubular glass elements into engagement with opposite sides of the metal element to cause said ends to be heated and fused thereby, said means including a Weight controlling the operation thereof for determining the pressure lof engagement of the tubular glass elements with the metal element to cause Ya limited upsetting and proper-sealing ofthe glass elements thereto.

'7.,Apparatus for sealing a tubular glass element to .nie-tal elements to :form an assembly for an electric device lof the class described comprising a refractory support `for a metal element, an inductioncoil surrounding a portion of the refractory support'adapted to be connected to a source of vhigh frequency current to cause the metal element to be heated, means for hoiding the glass element at one side of the refractory support, means lmounting said holding means for movement 'for Vpressing an end yof fthe tubular glass element against the metal element to cause said end to be fused and sealed thereto, movable means for holding a second metal `element at-the side of the refractory support, means mounting said last-mentioned holding means for movement for pressing a second metal element into engagement with opposite end of the tubular glass element and ,means Yadjacent said last-mentioned holding meansfor heating the second metal element to cause the end of the glass Velement to be fused and sealed thereto.

Apparatus for sealing a tubular glass element to metal elements'to form an assembly for an electric device vof the class described comprising a refractory support for a metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be lconnected to -a source of .high frequency current to cause the metal element to'be heated, means for holding the `glass element atone vside of the refractory support. means mounting said holding means for movement for pressing an end of the Ltubular glass element against the metal element to cause said end to be fused and/sealed thereto, movable holding means located in alignment and still farther to the side of the refractory support having means to grip and heat a second metal element, and .means mounting Ythe movable holding and heating means for movement toward the refractory support to press `the second metal "element against the opposite end of the tubular glass element to cause said end to fuse and seal thereto.

9. Apparatus for sealing a tubular glass element Vto metal elements to form an assembly for an .electric device of the class described comprising a refractory support for a metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to ya source of high frequency current to cause 'the metal element `to be heated, `means for holding the giass element at one side of ythe refractory support, means mounting said 'holding means for movement for pressing an end of the tubular glass element against `the ymetal felementto cause said end to loe fused and sealed thereto, movable holding means located still farther to the side of the refractory support for holding a'second metal element, `means adjacent said last mentioned holding .means for heating the second metal element, and means mounting said lastmentioned holding means for movement to cause the movable means to press the second metal element against the glass element to cause said glass element to be fused, upset and sealed thereto and for thereafter repositioning said movable means to adjust the seal and position the second metal element at a definite relation to the other metal element.

l0. Apparatus for sealing tubular glass elements and metal elements together to form an assembly for an electrical device of the class described comprising a refractory support for a metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to a source of high frequency current to cause the metal element to be heated, means for holding glass elements at opposite sides of the refractory support, means mounting said holding means for movement for pressing the ends of the tubular glass elements against opposite sides of the metal element to cause said ends to be fused and sealed thereto, other mov able means for holding other' metal elements on opposite sides of the refractory support, means mounting said last-mentioned holding means for movement for carrying said other metal elements into engagement with the opposite ends of the tubular glass elements, and means adjacent said last-mentioned holding means for heating the last-mentioned metal elements to cause the con tacting ends of the tubular glass elements to be fused and sealed thereto.

11. Apparatus for sealing a tubular glass element t metal elements to form an assembly for an electric device of the class described comprisn ing a refractory support for a metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to a source of high frequency current to cause the metal element to be heated, means for holding the glass element at one side of the refractory support, means mounting said holding means for movement for pressing an end of the tubular glass element against the metal element to cause said end to be fused and sealed thereto, movable means for holding a second metal element at the side of the refractory support, means mounting said lastementioned holding means for moveH ment for pressing the second metal element into engagement with the opposite end of the tubular glass element, means adjacent said last-mentioned holding means for heating the second metal element to cause the end of the glass element to be fused, upset and sealed thereto, and means including a contact member carried by said lastmentioned holding means in position to engage the metal element held by the refractory support during the upset of the seal to indicate a definite spacial relation between the metal elements.

12. Apparatus for sealing a tubular glass element to metal elements to form an assembly for an electric device of the class described comprising a refractory support for a metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to a source of high frequency current to cause the metal element to be heated, means for holding the glass element at one side of the refractory support, means mounting said holding means for movement for pressing an end of the tubular glass element against the metal element to cause said end to be fused and sealed thereto,- movable means for holding a second metal element at the side of the refractory support, means mounting said last-mentioned holding means for movement for pressing the second metal element into engagement with the opposite end of the tubular glass element, means adjacent said last-mentioned holding means for heating the second metal element to cause the end of the glass element to be fused, upset and sealed thereto, indicator means constructed and arranged to effect an indication of contact between portions of the said metal elements, and means to thereafter eiiect retraction of said last-mentioned holding means together with the second metal element a definite predetermined amount to accurately space said metal elements.

13. Apparatus for sealing tubular elements and metal elements together to form an assembly for an electrical device of the class described comprising a refractory support for a metal element, an induction coil surrounding a portion of the refractory support adapted to be connected to a source of high frequency current to cause the metal element to be heated, a pair of holders for holding glass elements al: opposite oi the refractory support, means mounting said holders for movement for pressing the ends of the tubular glass elements against opposite sides of the metal element to cause said ends to be fused and sealed thereto, another pair of holder means holding other metal elements on opposite sides of the refractory support means mounting said last-mentioned holder means for movement for carrying said other metal elements into engagement with the opposite ends of the tubular glass elements, means adjacent said lastmentioned holder mean-s for heating the lastmentioned metal elements to cause the contacting ends of the tubular glass elements to be fused and sealed thereto, means .including a contact member carried by one of the lastmentioned pair of holder means in position to engage the iirst-mentioned metal element held by the reiractory support during the upsetting of the .seal to indicate a denite spacial relationship between said first-mentioned metal element and `the metal element carried by said one of the lastmenticned holder means, indicator means constructed and arranged to effect an indication of contact bctween portions of the said rstmentioned metal element and the metal element carried hy the other of the last-mentioned pair of holder means, and means to thereafter effect definite predetermined amount of retraction of the said other of the last-mentioned pair of holder means to-- gether with the metal element carried thereby.

14. Apparatus of the class described comprising a refractory support for a metal element, .an induction coil surrounding said support for heating said metal element, means adjacent said support for holding a tubular glass element with one end thereof against said metal element to fuse said end to the metal element, a spindle in alignment with said support adapted to hold a second metal element, means mounting said spindle for movement toward said support to carry said second metal element against the other end of said tubular element, and burner passages in said spindle arranged to direct gas flames against said second metal element to fuse it to the glass element.

15. Apparatus of the class described comprising a refractory support for a metal element, an induction coil surroundingr said support for heating said metal element, means adjacent said support for holding a tubular glass element with one end thereof against said metal element to fuse said end to the metal element, a spindle in alignment with said support adapted to hold a second metal element, means mounting said spindle for movementl toward and then a predetermined distance away from said support to rst carry said second metal element against the other end of said tubular element to effect a fused seal as hereinafter specied and to then stretch the seal a predetermined amount, and gas burner passages in said spindle arranged to direct gas names against said second metal element to fuse it to the glass element, said spindle also having a vacuum passage therein arranged to securely hold said second metal element while the spindle is retracted to stretch the seal.

16. In apparatus of the class described, means for supporting a member comprising a tubular glass element, a vertically disposed spindle adapted to carry a metal element on its upper end, means mounting said spindle in alignment with said supporting means for movement toward and then retraction a predetermined distance away from said supporting means, gas burner passages extending longitudinally to the upper end of said spindle to direct gas flames against said metal element to fuse it to the glass element, said spindle also having a vacuum passage open at its upper end to securely hold said metal element during the aforesaid retraction of said spindle to stretch the seal.

17. Apparatus for fusing together the parts of an assembly comprising two axially aligned glass tubes, an intermediate metal disc and metal end members having disc-like portions, said apparatus comprising support means for the metal disc, an electrical induction coil surrounding said support means for heating said disc, a pair of opposed holders arranged to support the glass tubes in axial alignment on opposite sides of said disc, means mounting said holders for movement toward said support means and disc to press an end of each of the glass tubes against opposite surfaces of the heated disc to fuse them to the disc, and a pair of opposed supports for holding the metal end members on opposite sides of said disc support means and having associated therewith circular gas burners for heating an annular zone of the disc-like portions of said end members, means mounting said opposed supports for movement toward the disc support means and the other ends of the glass tubes to press the heated portions of said end members against the said other ends of the glass tubes.

ALFRED GREINER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,121,627 Donovan et al June 21, 1938 2,125,316 Ronci Aug. 2, 1938 2,222,093 Swanson Nov. 19, 1940 2,290,050 Hinkley et al July 14, 1942 2,297,492 Michaelis Sept. 29, 1942 2,320,941 Litton June 1. 1943 2,335,617 Thomas et al Nov. 30, 194'3 2,361,517 White et al Oct. 3l, 1944 2,374,546 Laico Aug. 24, 1945 2,376,439 Machlett et a1 May 22, 1945 2,386,820 Spencer Oct. 16, 1945 2,411,184 Beggs Nov. 19, 1946 2,415,412 Buchwald et al Feb. 11, 1947 

